Sometimes I wonder how people managed to get through their year abroads without the internet. The following apps/websites have been endlessly helpful in meeting people/getting around/travelling/sorting admin...
BlaBlaCar
Drivers with spare seats in their car post their journeys and for a small fee (usually cheaper than public transport) you can join them. It's really popular in France where public transport is less frequent and difficult to negotiate. It's also great for language practise as you're forced to make conversation in French and it's a great way to meet people of all ages and walks of life.
For me, being based in a small town with few transport links, BlaBlaCar is perfect for getting around as it's a cheaper, faster and more sociable alternative to public transport!
Drivers with spare seats in their car post their journeys and for a small fee (usually cheaper than public transport) you can join them. It's really popular in France where public transport is less frequent and difficult to negotiate. It's also great for language practise as you're forced to make conversation in French and it's a great way to meet people of all ages and walks of life.
For me, being based in a small town with few transport links, BlaBlaCar is perfect for getting around as it's a cheaper, faster and more sociable alternative to public transport!
This site has been endlessly useful in order to plan any journey anywhere! The site allows you to enter your start point and your destination and offers you the different routes, modes of transport and prices you can use to get there. Links to the relevant transport websites are even included and it works all over the world!
AirBnb
Perfect for travelling as well as settling in when you first arrive on your Year Abroad. If you're planning on finding accommodation when you get there, I'd definitely recommend booking into an AirBnb with a host family for a few nights. The hosts I've stayed with have always been really welcoming and happy to help you out where they can.
While you're on a year abroad you'll definitely want to make the most of living in a foreign country and travel around, although it can be expensive. AirBnbs are often cheaper than hotel and also give you a more authentic travel experience as you get to stay in someone's home.
Perfect for travelling as well as settling in when you first arrive on your Year Abroad. If you're planning on finding accommodation when you get there, I'd definitely recommend booking into an AirBnb with a host family for a few nights. The hosts I've stayed with have always been really welcoming and happy to help you out where they can.
While you're on a year abroad you'll definitely want to make the most of living in a foreign country and travel around, although it can be expensive. AirBnbs are often cheaper than hotel and also give you a more authentic travel experience as you get to stay in someone's home.
Facebook
As soon as you know where you're going search on Facebook for the Erasmus group of your university, or if you're working abroad join the group for the nearest uni to where you'll be - after all you're still a student. These groups are a fantastic way to meet people, especially other students, and find out about events going on in your local area.
For British Council language assistants also join the Facebook group for your region - really useful for meeting other assistants, arranging meet ups and answering each others questions on admin/housing etc.
As soon as you know where you're going search on Facebook for the Erasmus group of your university, or if you're working abroad join the group for the nearest uni to where you'll be - after all you're still a student. These groups are a fantastic way to meet people, especially other students, and find out about events going on in your local area.
For British Council language assistants also join the Facebook group for your region - really useful for meeting other assistants, arranging meet ups and answering each others questions on admin/housing etc.
Third Year Abroad
The ultimate source of information for anything to do about going on a year abroad. Their Q&A section is really helpful and you'll probably find any questions you have about anything to do with your year out have already been answered for you!
It's also a good thing to check it out before you go to give you an idea what to expect when you get there so the culture shock hopefully won't be too bad.
The ultimate source of information for anything to do about going on a year abroad. Their Q&A section is really helpful and you'll probably find any questions you have about anything to do with your year out have already been answered for you!
It's also a good thing to check it out before you go to give you an idea what to expect when you get there so the culture shock hopefully won't be too bad.
Skype
For keeping in touch with all your friends and family back home. While Facebook and What'sApp are great free ways of keeping in touch too, nothing's better than face-to-face. Skype has now also updated to do group chat - great for me as I've got friends all over the world and we've been able to arrange a group call across 3 continents!
For keeping in touch with all your friends and family back home. While Facebook and What'sApp are great free ways of keeping in touch too, nothing's better than face-to-face. Skype has now also updated to do group chat - great for me as I've got friends all over the world and we've been able to arrange a group call across 3 continents!
OuiGo
Another transport site to help you save some pennies! This site books trains to alternative destinations, for example to Marne la Vallée Chessy (aka Disneyland Paris) so you can get a journey from Avignon to Paris for as little as 10€ (booked in advance).
Another transport site to help you save some pennies! This site books trains to alternative destinations, for example to Marne la Vallée Chessy (aka Disneyland Paris) so you can get a journey from Avignon to Paris for as little as 10€ (booked in advance).
Teaching English
An amazing resource for language assistants, this site has loads of games, songs and lesson plans for teaching kids English. Really useful suggestions for different ways to teach things and ideas for themed weeks such as Halloween and Christmas.
An amazing resource for language assistants, this site has loads of games, songs and lesson plans for teaching kids English. Really useful suggestions for different ways to teach things and ideas for themed weeks such as Halloween and Christmas.
Appartager
A must when looking for housing in France, this site helped me find my roommate. Create a profile and people can also search for you so your housing might even end up finding you!
A must when looking for housing in France, this site helped me find my roommate. Create a profile and people can also search for you so your housing might even end up finding you!
Scannable
You won't realise until you start your Year Abroad just how much admin there is you need to do. As it's unlikely you'll have access to a scanner (especially at the beginning) this app is a God-send, allowing you to scan and email documents from your phone. Perfect for claiming back for train tickets and emailing Erasmus forms to your uni.
You won't realise until you start your Year Abroad just how much admin there is you need to do. As it's unlikely you'll have access to a scanner (especially at the beginning) this app is a God-send, allowing you to scan and email documents from your phone. Perfect for claiming back for train tickets and emailing Erasmus forms to your uni.
No comments:
Post a Comment